New York latest to launch probe of church records

By RHINA GUIDOS |
Catholic News Service

9/10/18

WASHINGTON — The New York State Office of the Attorney General is
the latest to announce that it is launching an investigation of sexual abuse of
minors by Catholic Church clergy, and at least two of the state's eight
dioceses confirmed receiving subpoenas seeking access to its records.

In a Sept. 6 press release, the agency said it was seeking
"a civil investigation into how the dioceses and other church entities —
which are nonprofit institutions — reviewed and potentially covered up
allegations of extensive sexual abuse of minors." Several news agencies,
including The New York Times and The Associated Press, reported on Sept. 6 that
subpoenas had been sent to New York's eight dioceses: Albany, Buffalo, New
York, Brooklyn, Ogdensburg, Rochester, Rockville Centre and Syracuse.

The state's Attorney General, Barbara D. Underwood, also
announced a hotline the same day, specifically for those who may have been
abused by clergy.

Joseph Zwilling, director of communications for the Archdiocese
of New York, said in a Sept. 6 email to Catholic News Service that "while
we have just received a subpoena, it is not a surprise to us that the Attorney
General would look to begin a civil investigation, and she will find the
Archdiocese of New York, and the other seven dioceses in the state, ready and
eager to work together with her in the investigation."